The 2018 Volta a Catalunya saw a, coincidental, stage start in La Pobla de Segur. Originally, the race would have left from Vielha but due to heavy snow in the Aran Valley the route had been shortened.
That day, Maximilian Schachmann brought the early break home in Torrefarrera. The German outsprinted his breakaway companion Diego Rubio on the line.
This year’s 5th stage is mainly played out undulating terrain. The riders move through Manresa for the first time after 140 kilometres. The route then continues onto the Port de Montserrat, which is a 7.4 kilometres climb at 6.6%. There are 27 kilometres left to race at the top, most of it goes downhill, although the finale also features some uphill kicks.
Manresa saw the last stage finish on the Volta a Catalunya in 2012, when Julien Simon took the spoils.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while intermediate sprints come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 5th stage 2021 Volta a Catalunya.
Volta a Catalunya 2021 stage 5: route, profile, more
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